Christmas Pleasures: A Blurred Lines Short (3 page)

Chapter 5

Lincoln

“What about Dee-Dee?” I asked
as I cut a slice of the medium rare steak covered in blue cheese and caramelized onions.

She almost choked on her bite of baby potato. “That’s my grandmother’s name. Pass.”
Her eyes twinkled with happiness. I felt certain my eyes held the same joy.

“Okay, no.” I
smiled, took another bite and chewed thoughtfully. “What’s your favorite animal?” I asked randomly, just to change the subject.

She tilted her head toward the ceiling. “Probably a baby elephant.”

I chuckled. “Really?” I asked, pleased. Most women would say kittens or puppies. I liked that she was exotic.

“Have you seen a baby elephant? With their big ears and adorable trunks.” She giggled. “And the noise they make. They are the cutest damn animals in the world.”

I had to agree, but I wanted to tease her. “Come on, cuter than a baby panda?”

She tilted her head toward the ceiling again. She was really thinking about it. “Yes.” She took a drink of wine.

“What about baby kangaroos? Or deer? Or those adorable little chinchillas? Have you seen one of those?”

She cut a piece of steak and popped it in her mouth. When she was done chewing she smiled. “Chinchillas are freaking cute, but yeah, I’m still going to stick with a baby elephant.”

I liked that I couldn’t sway her. She had a mind of her own. Strong. Another plus.

And then I froze.

What the fuck was I doing?

When did I create a checklist for the kind of woman I wanted
, and how did this little makeup artist meet and exceed everything I thought I wanted?

Damn, I was in serious trouble.

“What’s your favorite Christmas carol?” Mindy asked.

I swallowed, forcing back the panic causing my heart to beat rapidly.

She seemed to notice my anxiety and stood. “Hey, are you alright?” She moved to my lap. I scooted back in the chair and she straddled me. “Why are you freaking out?” Her tiny hands cupped either side of my scruffy face.

I cleared my throat, trying to think fast. I couldn’t allow her to know she was right. “Silent Night,” I said, kissing her lightly on the mouth. She tasted like blue cheese and steak.

Her thumb rubbed my lower lip. “Why that song?” she whispered.

I set down my fork and wrapped her close against my skin. We were both fully clothed, but she had on a fucking skirt and a lacy black thong. My cock perked up to thank her.
She smiled. “My grandma used to sing me that song during the holidays as she tucked me into bed at night. She had this beautiful Jamaican accent. Her voice made words sound better.” There was sadness in her voice.

“Is your grandma still around?”

She shook her head. “No. She passed a few years ago.”

“I’m so sorry.” I hugged her. She rested her
head against my shoulder. All my body wanted to do was fuck her again. Make her feel good. Forget that she’d ever been sad. But I also wanted to take her out. Show her I enjoyed more than her body. I liked her mind as well. The hotel manager had told me there would be carolers tonight at the bar. She might enjoy that.

I stood, holding her in my arms. “Let’s
get out of here. I want to hear carolers sing that song.”

“Where to?” she asked, lifting her head.

“Well, Minty…” I paused, gauging her reaction to that one.

“Nope,” she said, understanding the game I was playing.

I pushed a piece of hair off her face. “Fine. Anyway, it’s Christmas Eve. I’m thinking we go down to the bar, get happy drunk, and sing Christmas carols until they kick us out. You in?”

She laughed and my heart melted. “
That sounds perfect.”

I set her down, grabbing her hand.

Chapter 6

Lincoln

There were a several other
people at the bar: a young couple watching each other nervously; an older gentlemen cuddling with a younger woman; four guys, a group of girls, and a middle aged man. I was surprised they weren’t with their families.

“Did you want a table or would you prefer to sit at the bar?”

Mindy squeezed my hand. “Either way.”

The single guys were at the bar so I steered her over to a table as far from the giggling girls as possible.

A waitress came over. She glared at the girls, who squealed in unison and took another shot. “They are supposed to be our carolers. My manager is gonna be pissed.”

Ah, that explained the young single adults. “When are they supposed to start?” I asked.

She smiled. “They were supposed to start a half hour ago. You see how well that’s going.”

“That’s too bad. My friend and I were looking forward to the carols.”

She leaned in. “I’m sorry. But, hey, if you know someone who sings, feel free to send them up to the stage. At this point, we’ll take anyone.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Awesome! Now, what’ll you have?”

I glanced at Mindy
, who said, “I’ll take a vodka tonic with a twist of lime.”

“Make that two,” I said.

The waitress smiled. “You got it.”

When she was gone I grabbed Mindy’s other hand. They were so small compared to mine.
And soft. Her nails were well manicured and painted a bright red. They weren’t overly long or fake. They were perfect. God, she was perfect for me. “You going to save the day and get up there and sing?” I asked, totally joking.

She surprised me. “Sure, if you go up there with me.”

I sat back. “I don’t even know if you can sing. And what makes you think I can?” I could, actually. It was one of those rare gifts I never shared and only brought out in the privacy of my own home. No one, not even Mr. Zane, knew I could sing.

“I can sing,” she said
, matter of fact. “Can you?”

Our drinks arrived and I sucked it down in one gulp. I needed the liquid courage. It didn’t matter than I was a ninth degree black belt and an excellent shot with a handgun. Performing in
a crowd scared the shit out of me.

“Bring me another.”

“Me too,” Mindy said, chugging hers down as well.

The waitress handed me a piece of paper that basically asked for my room number. I wrote it down.

“I’ll be right back.”

While we waited, I asked her another random question. “What made you decide to be a makeup artist?”

She shrugged. “I didn’t want to be an actor, and I’m good at it.” She played with the napkin in front of her. “I like it.” Her eyes met mine. “I know that might seem sad.” She started twisting the napkin around her finger, strangling it. “I mean, why would I be happy working at a makeup artist's salary when I could be a movie star, right?”

I reached out and wrapped my hand around hers. She stopped. “I think being a makeup artist sounds like fun.”

She giggled. “I could totally put some on you.” She moved over to my lap and I realized I loved her there. She fit like my lap was made for her. “You have beautiful eyes, and your lashes are so thick. Actually your face is very symmetrical.” As she spoke she stroked my face.

“Maybe,” I said
, and then cleared my throat. “When pigs fly.”

Mindy laughed. “Fine.”

The waitress brought our second round and we chugged them down just as quickly.

She jumped out of her seat. “Shall we?” she asked, sticki
ng out her hand.

I grabbed it and followed her over to the stage. There were four
mics. Mindy tapped on one. “Testing.”

The nervous young couple nearly jumped out of their skin. I took a
mic. “Can I get some music?”

“Hey
!” one of the drunk girls said and nearly fell out of her seat. One of the young guys hopped off the stool and stumbled toward us. “What the fuck do you think you’re doing? That’s our stage. We’re going to sing.”

“Can’t wait to hear you, man,” I said kindly, stretching to my full
six-foot-five and throwing back my shoulders.

That did the trick and he stepped back.

“This little lady and I are going to sing a few, just to get the crowd warmed up.”

His friends came to stand next to him. They watched me with the confidence of too much alcohol.

“Go have a drink on me.” I caught the waitress's eye. She nodded. “Come on, boys. What’ll it be?”

They reluctantly went back to their seats and the music came on. At first I couldn’t tell what it was, but Mindy knew right away.

“Have yourself a merry little Christmas,” she started to sing. Her voice was sultry and had perfect pitch.

God, I think she and I were made for each other.

“Let your heart be light,” I sang with her.

Her eyes widened and she smiled.

“From now on your troubles will be out of sight.”

She and I faced each other and finished singing the song. When it ended, the room filled with the sound of clapping. One girl did the “whoop, whoop, whoop” call that the movie Pretty Woman made so famous.

Mindy looked out and smiled big. “Thank you.” She glanced at me. “You really can sing,” she whispered.

I winked. “Told
ya.”

The waitress brought us
each a shot. We threw them back and Mindy said, “Bring on the next song.”

I swear I’ve never had more fun in all my fucking life.

We did exactly what we’d planned to except, instead of listening to carols, we sang them, made out a few times, then sang some more.

The last song was fitting. The music for
Silent Night
played over the speakers.

Mindy took my hand and
, in that moment, I knew I’d never let her go.

“
You’re mine and I’m yours. You know that right?”

A fat tear rolled down her cheek. “I’m so glad you think so.” She kissed me and I realized there was no way I could go another minute without being inside her.

“I need you,” I whispered gruffly in her ear.

“Not as much as I need you,” she whispered back.

We dropped the mics and ran from the bar.

As soon as we reached the e
levator, I kissed her deeply. She kissed me back and undid my jeans.

“Here?” I asked, sure there were camera
s. Most hotels had them.

“Fuck yes, just keep my ass covered.”

That’s all I needed to hear. I turned her so her back was against the wall and lifted her, pulling her lace thong to one side as I rammed into her. She moaned and I covered that moan with a kiss.

This would be quick. I was almost drunk and she was so fucking hot, but I wanted her to come. I held her up easily with one hand. With the other I massaged her clit. She made the hottest fucking moan-mewl I’d ever heard.

“Link, I'm coming. Fuck, I’m coming!” she cried, biting my lip.

I
slammed my cock into her wet pussy once, twice, and came. “Fuck,” I whispered against her neck. “You’re a minx. An amazing minx and that’s what I’m going to call you. My Minx.”

She smiled at me shyly. “
I like that.” She kissed me softly. “Thanks for making this the best Christmas I’ve ever had.”

I wrapp
ed her tightly against me. “Minx
, you and me are going to have many, many more, got it?”

She nodded sweetly
and a single tear trailed down her cheek. “You make me feel like the sexiest woman in the world.”

I kissed her neck. “That’s because, to me, you are.”

The End…